Thinking About Your Business Goals for 2007

Thinking About Your Business Goals

We went through a brief planning exercise with our clients, and some prospective clients, that several found useful. Since it’s not not too late to do some planning for 2007, here are a few questions that should answer on a single piece of paper (perhaps even a 3×5 card you can carry with you)

1. What went well last year? (If you haven’t celebrated do so now)
2. How will you build on your 2006 success?
3. What key value or attribute of your business do you want to enhance?
4. What are one or more activities or initiatives you plan to stop doing in 2007?
5. What is your target for growth next year? Are you ready for growth?
6. What are the major risks you face in 2007; how will you mitigate them?

Mike Van Horn On Techniques For Faster Growth

I blogged about this last year in Mike Van Horn on “Are You Ready for Growth?” but it bears repeating here.

• The better teams you can build… the faster you can grow.
  People who grow companies rapidly know how to put a good team in place, then move on to the next thing. They become a leader of independent teams.
• The better you use your time–the faster you can grow.
  Invest your time strategically; be less concerned with saving time or managing time.
• The more you think things through ahead of time–the faster you can grow.
  That means planning, including strategic plans, action plans, and project plans, with built-in review and accountability.
• The savvier your advisors–the faster you can grow.
  You let go of the “lone ranger” approach to running the business. As your business grows, get advisors who are one step ahead of you.
• The more you insist on top performance… the faster you can grow.
  Do not let mediocre performers dictate your rate of growth, whether they are employees, customers, vendors, or professionals.
• The more knowledge you can get out of your head and the more systematized you get–the faster you can grow.
  Create manuals, checklists, and training seminars that teach employees all the magical things that you think only you can do. Then you and your people can focus attention on the big, creative challenges.